The Village: Larks brings back McCarthy Cup back to scenes of great joy

14 Oct 2012

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LIAM RETURNS - On Tuesday night of last week, “Liam” returned to the Village club in the company of Sunday week’s triumphantcaptain, Eoin Larkin, the Kilkenny team manager, Brian Cody and players Jackie Tyrrell and Matt Ruth. The tradition of visiting the captain’s home club on the Tuesday after the formal homecoming on the Monday evening, continued when many of the Kilkennny squad were welcomed to “The Village” by chairman, Tom Lanigan who acknowledged the huge achievement by clubman, Brian Cody and his highly talented panel of players in winning the county’s, 34th title, against Galway in such exciting and emphatic style. Tom also pointed out to the large gathering of members, parents and young Village hopefulls that this is only the third occasion, in the club’s 125 year history that a James Stephens player has had the privilege of “bringing home the Liam McCarthy” to the club’s, Larchfield headquarters. Brian, himself, broke that jinx in 1982 against Cork, and Jackie Tyrrell followed in 2006, once again, against the Leesiders. In addition to congratulating the Kilkenny management team and players, Tom acknowledged the contribution that the “forward thinking” Kilkenny County Bord has made to the county’s phenonimal run of success over the last decade. Brian, in turn, thanked the club for the warm welcome extended to the Kilkenny County Board officers and his players, and congratulated both Henry Shefflin and Noel Hickey on their record achievements of winning their ninth Celtic cross medals. The evening continued with players and supporters revelling in the joys of Sunday’s historic achievements. Congratulations to all on an exceptional year’s sporting endeavour.

LIAM RETURNS - On Tuesday night of last week, “Liam” returned to the Village club in the company of Sunday week’s triumphantcaptain, Eoin Larkin, the Kilkenny team manager, Brian Cody and players Jackie Tyrrell and Matt Ruth. The tradition of visiting the captain’s home club on the Tuesday after the formal homecoming on the Monday evening, continued when many of the Kilkennny squad were welcomed to “The Village” by chairman, Tom Lanigan who acknowledged the huge achievement by clubman, Brian Cody and his highly talented panel of players in winning the county’s, 34th title, against Galway in such exciting and emphatic style. Tom also pointed out to the large gathering of members, parents and young Village hopefulls that this is only the third occasion, in the club’s 125 year history that a James Stephens player has had the privilege of “bringing home the Liam McCarthy” to the club’s, Larchfield headquarters. Brian, himself, broke that jinx in 1982 against Cork, and Jackie Tyrrell followed in 2006, once again, against the Leesiders. In addition to congratulating the Kilkenny management team and players, Tom acknowledged the contribution that the “forward thinking” Kilkenny County Bord has made to the county’s phenonimal run of success over the last decade. Brian, in turn, thanked the club for the warm welcome extended to the Kilkenny County Board officers and his players, and congratulated both Henry Shefflin and Noel Hickey on their record achievements of winning their ninth Celtic cross medals. The evening continued with players and supporters revelling in the joys of Sunday’s historic achievements. Congratulations to all on an exceptional year’s sporting endeavour.

SENIOR - The Village senior suffered the only disappointment of the 2011 league/championship fixtures programme last seasonwhenth e red & green fell short to Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) last season. The Village showed massive determination and drive to overturn that disappointing result as they scored a spirited and hard fought victory over Erin’s Own in the 5th round of the Kilkenny Senior hurling league/championship on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-11. This was the first competitive fixture the Village has played since they defeated Dicksboro on Saturday 14th July. The Village opened the scoring account with three quick fire Eoin Larkin free’s before the Comer men responded with two points from play. The game in the opening half proved to be a very tight, tense affair with many physical exchanges with proves to be expected when we meet the hard battling Erin’s Own side who up to this game had the meanest and most successful defensive record to date. Erin’s Own took over in the second quarter of the first half and start to find their range up front as the Village trailed 0-6 to 0-7 at the half time break. The opening quarter of the second half was a similar affair with both sets of defenders on top. The Village hit a purple patch going into the closing ten minutes of the game as Matthew Ruth hit a three pointer after great work from David Walton and David McCormack scored a good point from play and these vital scores proved decisive as the Village held firm to take victory. Village sharp shooter, Eoin Larkin contributed 0-9 over the hour and his ability from placed balls proved crucial in determining the result. Village captain, Donnacha Cody was in commanding form throughout alongside Eamon Sheehy and Jackie Tyrrell. Tomás Keogh had a storming second half driving his charges forward at every opportunity from full back. Ray Coady and David McCormack worked hard in the middle third of the pitch while Richie Hayes, David Walton and Matthew Ruth all worked hard in the forward division. Well done to all the players and management team of Niall Rigney, Fran Whelan and Adrian Finan on grinding out a vital win over Erin’s Own. The Village have now qualified for the quarter finals of the Kilkenny Senior hurling championship which will be played on Sunday 21st October 2012. The Village will also clash with St.Martins in the Kilkenny Shield League final on Sunday 14th October. Team: 1.Derrick Brennan, 2.Niall Mcquillan, 3.Tomás Keogh, 4.John Comerford, 5.Eamon Sheehy, 6.Jackie Tyrrell, 7.Donnacha Cody (Captain), 8.Ray Coady, 9.David McCormack (0-1), 10.Richie Hayes, 11.David Walton (0-2), 12.Ger Flood, 13.Niall Tyrrell, 14.Eoin Larkin (0-9), 15.Matthew Ruth (1-0). Subs Used: Niall Mullins, Jack McGrath.

MINOR - Best wishes to the Village Minor A squad who are busy preparing for the Kilkenny Roinn A hurling championship final against neighbours, Dicksboro. The final will go ahead on Saturday 20 October in Nowlan Park. Best wishes to the players and management team.

CLOTHES TOYS COLLECTION - The Club is appealing to all players, officers, members and supporters of the Village from near and far to provide old clothing, old toys, bedding wear, books, old mobile phones and novels that you may have stored away at home. We are looking for the materials to be bagged up and dropped into the clubrooms any evening and the club will stand to benefit financially from the clothing collection. Every small bit helps the club in a significant way! Contact any committee member for further details.

E-NEWSLETTER - The October edition of the club newsletter has “hit the presses”. The production team have designed an outstanding 23 page production which is more like an All-Ireland final colour magazine, headlined with a photograph of the club’s three stars, Eoin, Jackie and Matt holding “Liam” in the dressing room straight after the final whistle on Sunday week. Along with an array of photographs of current events there is the usual “trip down memory lane”, reports on the U-16 “A” & “B” double championship successes, the Seamus Fry U-10 tournament, camogie news, Brian Cody’s honorary doctorate conferring in U.C.C., the minor hurlers journey to the 2012 county final and much more besides to keep a reader’s interest as he/she sits, by the fire,on a dark Autumn night. Congratulations to the production team on an outstanding October issue. To ensure that you receive a copy of the monthly newsletter post your e-mail address to news@james-stephens.com

SOCIAL MEDIA - The Village has fully joined and embraced the world of social media and communications. Check out the Village website (www.james-stephens.com), Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/villagegaa), Twitter page (https://twitter.com/VillageGAA) and YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/JSGAA).

ALL-IRELAND MEDAL COLLECTION - On the subject of All-Ireland medals, chairman, Tom Lanigan, who is also busy, at present, compiling and editing the soon to be launched “125” year club history has calculated that James Stephens club players have amassed a grand total of 71 All-Ireland senior hurling medals. Can any club, nationwide, match that figure.

RED & GREEN STORE - With the club championship season ready to swing into action after the county’as memorable All-Ireland victory, the time is right to avail of the wonderful value in club sports gear on offer in the Red & Green Store in the club’s Larchfield headquarters. Recession proof discounts of between 25 % and 50% can be availed of, for the wide range of club gear, including tracksuits, jerseys, leisure tops, togs socks, hoodies,caps etc,in store, at present. The shop will be open on Friday nights from 8 to 9p.m.. For further information contact Niamh (086-1285855).

If you wish, you can contact us using any of the methods below: Kilkenny People,High Street,KilkennyEmail: editor@kilkennypeople.ieTelephone: 056 7791000

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